Four days in the hot-spot money pit that is Montauk have me hoping I’m not going to miss some of this week’s big books. With apologies to Van Halen:

Ain’t Montaukin’ ’bout love

Vacay will keep me from the store

Ain’t Montaukin’ ’bout love

Cash-only shopping–I’m poor, yeah, I’m poor!

Doesn’t mean I won’t get out to Android’s to pick up these books, some semi-good lookin’ and some–mostly from the increasingly impressive Avatar Press–downright I&N Demand.

Harrow County #4 (Dark Horse)

Rebels #5 (Dark Horse)

String Divers #1 (IDW)

The Beauty #1 (Image)

The Fade Out #8 (Image)

Injection #4 (Image)

Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 (Image): Just I&N and I&N Demand The team of Gillen, McKelvie, and Wilson–I think they’re OK. (OK: more than OK, really. OK?) If you don’t give them proper credit, you better just walk away–or I’ll slap you upside the head with a copy–I’ll make you pick your own copy, too; there’s a switch!–of The Wicked + The Divine to set your damn head straight. Oh, baby: I’m mad–on a roll, right? And to think: I missed the original Phonogram series; so I’m coming to this kinda like a virgin, no?

Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1

Starve #3 (Image): I&N Demand Through two: Starve is full of bold, assertive notes–it’s a massive success! When Gavin–Starve‘s Top Chef–tells Sheldon, “I’m going to show you my city,” I hear Brian Wood himself, who’s so very good at cooking up deliciously diverse worlds with depth of flavor; and his art team of Danijel Zezelj and Dave Stewart (a 2015 Innie nominee for Best Colorist) are the perfect sous chefs, plating–er, paneling–with brash black lines and shadows amplified by alternating–and often blended for a striking contrast–warm and cool tones. Hungry for more? I sure am!

Starve #3

Velvet #11 (Image)

18 Days #2 (Graphic India)

Americatown #1 (BOOM!)

Bloodshot: Reborn #5 (Valiant)

Crossed +100 #7 (Avatar) I&N Demand Alan Moore’s set the stage for Si Spurrier with a sick six issue arc that relied on obsessively intricate world building and long-fuse storytelling; but, damn, did it explode in the end. What an effing payoff! Man, Moore didn’t have to cross the Crossed line to be affective–he just went and redrew the brown out of it. Now, Spurrier’s no stranger to Crossed. In this case, however, he’s working off of Moore’s notes, which puts him in an odd position: he’s sort of a filter, right? One that might miss the mark tone-wise; hell, he might languish a bit with the oft-awkward language Moore’s crafted. It’s a risky proposition, for sure. Spurrier–the winner of the 2014 Innie Award for Best Writer–is pretty damn great, but he’s not Moore. Here’s hoping that he’s not much less, either.

Crossed +100 #7

Death Sentence: London #3 (Titan)

Mercury Heat #2 (Avatar)

Providence #3 (Avatar): I&N Demand Patient, potent: Providence is only two issues in, but Moore’s in deep–basement deep–and we’re right there with him. His commitment to the book is palpable, and he demands one from us; he demands our full attention–and Cthulhu knows he’s going to take advantage of it!

Providence #3

Über #27 (Avatar): I&N Demand Kieron Gillen’s delivered some strong issues along the way, but none as powerful as #26. Leah’s deployment was “everything [I] could have hoped for”–and more. Sure, the German Battleships may have gotten the best of the Brits in this, “the largest enhanced confrontation on the Western Front,” but I was emotionally destroyed by the relationship between HMHs Churchill and Dunkirk. Goddammit, Gillen’s killin’ it!

Last week had me Wow-ing more per book than any week in the recent past. Here’s the near future:

Mister X: Razed #2 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand No surprise here: we loved #1. It easily fell into our Top 5 Books of February, the result of the tasty termites and the hungry peregrine pigeons, which, of course, is Christmas come a bit late, you know, in the perfectly-wrapped gift of Dean Motter’s icicle-sharp storytelling. (Deep breath.) It’s everything we loved about Mr. X: Eviction, which was just as easily our #1 Book of 2013. Don’t remember why? Remind yourself.

Mister X: Razed #2

PastAways #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N With his nonpareil Mind MGMT in its stretch run, main man Matt Kindt takes aim–along with artist Scott Kolins–at a fresh future with PastAways, the latest–and most assuredly not the last–entry in the suddenly supersaturated–and not-so-fresh–time-traveling-team market. Yeah, but it doesn’t matter if it’s good, right?

PastAways #1

The Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1 (DC): Re: Mastermen: Morrison and Lee bowled me over with their opening “splash” page–light a match, Adolph! I mean, c’mon: Hitler on the can, reading Superman? Hey, why Nazi? They played it for a laugh–and got it!–and forged a connection between the Führer and me. I was like, that’s what I look like when I’m reading during “Daddy Time,” you know, just without the mustache and the swastika. Yeah, otherwise, pretty spot on. After that, the rest of the book played out well–despite Lee’s pin-up-per-panel approach, which robs the story–artistically, anyway–of any momentum. Not the best single Multiversity issue, but still plenty metafun. This month, Morrison and Mahnke promise to make me “an integral part of the resistance.” Can’t resist that!

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5 (Image) I&N Demand Pretty great all around. Sure, while Busiek’s been busy building this remarkably engaging world, Astro City‘s suffered a bit. (The Quarrel arc is arguably the weakest multi-issue story since our return to the City.) But that’s all right–especially now that the game is a(Good)foot.

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

They’re Not Like Us #4 (Image): They may not be like them, but concerns are rising: we’re three issues in and some of what’s going on is a lot like some of what’s already gone on. Still love the design, though; love getting right to it! And still hanging on the promise made at the end of #1.

Daredevil #14 (Marvel): Ooh, ooh! A Shroud of secrecy! Yeah, that pretty much made it all worth it. As Waid and Samnee are making their way to the end of their run, I can’t help but think about Matt’s exes and wonder: what’s gonna happen to Kirsten? I’m leaning toward this one breaking the mold.

Uncanny X-Men #32 (Marvel): Eva’s conversation with Scott left me feeling like I did after Snyder’s Harper Row lit into Batman (in the regrettable Batman #18). That’s not a good thing. Oh, and so, as it all works out, it’s like nothing ever happened, which is always gratifying. Love that. Oh, oh, and maybe the once and future leader of the X-Men isn’t so far from his grand return. Ugh! I hate all the secrets and the wars that rage as a result of them!

The Black Hood #2 (Archie): I was surprised by how much I liked the first one. What sold it: the last page. As cheesy as it was, it felt authentic, heroic. I needed that. Great stuff from Gaydos.

The Bunker #10 (Oni): I’m feeling somewhat disconnected from The Bunker at this point. If it were released on a more regular basis…

Hit: 1957 #1 (BOOM!): I was surprised that Hit earned a Harvey nomination because it wasn’t great. Sure, it hit the right notes at the start–and at its soul was something to celebrate; but it didn’t come together well, as evidenced by the unremarkable end. I’ll thumb through to see if Del Rey’s art is enough of a draw to warrant a try. Otherwise, I’m going to pass.

Mono #4 (Titan): Through three now, I’m kinda feeling like I did after the summer after I graduated from high school–you know, after saying hi and goodbye to four different girls before leaving for college, and after learning that I had a case of mono, one bad enough to keep me home for what would’ve been my first semester at Penn State. Just like that, actually.

Quantum and Woody Must Die #3 (Valiant): Funny, funny, funny!

The Sixth Gun #47 (Oni): The stack grows.

The Valiant #4 (Valiant): #3 didn’t hit me like #2 did. Resulted in a bit of a letdown, especially as the entirety of the Valiant Universe gets further mired in Lemire’s return to Rotworld.

The Twilight Zone: Shadow and Substance #3 (Dynamite): The first two-issue arc didn’t live up to Straczynski’s standard–but how could it? I’m probably going to pass.

We Can Never Go Home #1 (Black Mask): I haven’t like much of what I’ve tried from Black Mask. This one sounds interesting enough. I’ll thumb through to be fair.

Avery’s Picks of the Week

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #29 (IDW): My wife just came home from Stop & Shop with eight more Pony blind bags. Thanks a lot DCTC! We’re drowning in Ponies over here–new ones and duplicates! I think we have three Pursey Pinks, for crying out loud!

Abigail and The Snowman #4 (BOOM!): My daughter’s dug it plenty–even if the Snowman is more Bumble than Olaf.

Frankenstein Underground #1 (Dark Horse): Anything with Mignola’s name tied to it screams… Well, yeah: it screams. Been around the catacomb a time or two with Frankenstein’s monster, haven’t we?

Mind MGMT #31 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand #30 was easily our #1 book of January. Damn thing erased everything and rewrote it even more painfully. There’s something Stray Bullets-ish about Kindt’s attention to detail across the series, in the impact of each issue; in this case, however, every round is a shot to the head.

Mind MGMT #31

Superman #39 (DC): Geoff Johns’ Superman sounds like Superman, and I’m a super happy man as a result. Who cares if the storyline didn’t develop as well as it could’ve and if Romita and Janson’s artwork appeared faster than a speeding bullet and about as powerful as Mister Roger’s Neighborhood Trolley.

Alex + Ada #13 (Image): I&N Demand This book is a whisper–the breath of a lover that fills your ear and sets off a silent storm that races up your spine, steels your muscles, and makes your skin scream. Yeah, that’s exactly what it is.

The Manhattan Projects: The Sun Beyond the Stars #1 (Image): Hoping that the new format is the key to recapturing the science behind this once superior series.

Outcast #7 (Image): Pretty close to exorcizing this one from the list, as well. Despite some interesting moments, I haven’t developed a connection to Kyle–at least one that has me caring enough to carry on with this very wayward son.

Satellite Sam #12 (Image): I&N Demand The best TV show in comics. Each episode/issue is a sprawling mosaic of self-interest that reads–unlikely–like a long-story-short told round the water cooler. Love it.

Satellite Sam #12

Secret Identities #2 (Image): I was kind of hung up on the untransitions from one character’s secret story to the next. It was a odd choice for a first issue–unless, of course, it was done to emphasize the separate personal spheres, which are such an integral part of the story. Hmm. The twist at the end: ho-hum. Had me thinking Deathmatch in spots. Maybe that’s why I’m on to #2.

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #2 (Image): I&N Demand Spanish Scott is a galleon of gold, and #1 let him shine: his pistolet-à-tête-à-pistolet with Beth and Kretch ranks as one of my favorite panels of the year.

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #2

Zero #15 (Image): I&N Demand #14 could’ve easily ended the series, right? Can’t not speak of the protracted fight scene, which had its moments–including an stare down that jumped off of the page; otherwise, it seemed unnecessary, almost lazy storytelling-wise, which contradicts most of what Kot’s done since #9, our top book of July 2014. It’s been a remarkable run, one that was due a hiccup.

Zero #15

Magneto #16 (Marvel): Magneto’s a badass. And that’s all ye need to know. Wondering what “Secret Wars” is going to do to the mighty Magneto.

Moon Knight #13 (Marvel): Wood and Smallwood’s run–which rounded out 2014 on a high note–stumbled across the finish line with an inexplicably weak resolution to an otherwise compelling story. Now Bunn takes over–with artist Ron Ackins–with expectations unexpectedly lower. Lucky Bunn.

Burning Fields #2 (BOOM!): I thought #1 was pretty solid. I mentioned that it was like Homeland and The Killing. #2 had me thinking The Bridge. Also kind of lost me a bit. I considered just letting it go, but still I buy.

Cap Stone #4 (Titan): Has been OK through three issues. Certainly hasn’t lived up to the promise of the poetic and beautiful–and near miraculous–first issue. Had Moore in mind; ended up Less. Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate Sharp’s vision. Page to page, the narrative’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. At times, however, the disjointedness causes the narrative to stall.

Divinity #2 (Valiant): I liked #1. I’m a big Kindt fan, but I’ve struggled to find a series outside of Mind MGMT that works for me. Sure, I’ve enjoyed The Valiant, but he’s sharing writing duties with Jeff Lemire on that one. While not mind-blowing by any stretch of the imagination, #1 hit some Kindt-ian notes that rang true, that carried consistently through the issue, leaving me far more satisfied than I was after reading Rai and Ninjak. I certainly hope that #2 transcends to the divine.

Wednesday’s forecast for the weather outside of my local comic shop is pretty much the same as its been: as cold as can be. (I guess someone’s gone and ticked off Elsa again.) The forecast for inside, however, is hot hot hot! (That’s right: the way to thaw a frozen heart is with an act of true love–in this case, a perfectly pulled bag of comics!) Speaking of hot books: our Top Ten Books of 2014 is well represented this week. Take a peek:

I know better, though: B&R‘s been a huge disappointment for months now. In fact, I finally got around to dropping it from my pull list last month. No longer under any obligation, I should leave it on the shelf and fill the void with something new. God knows there will be plenty of players for the spot. Image alone has a thousand new titles coming out in the next few months, so…

Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #4 (Image): I can’t be the only one who’s noticed: the current arc of Astro City‘s been a bit blah; but this has been really, really good. Coincidence?

Bitch Planet #3 (Image): I enjoyed #1 for all sorts of reasons (exploiting exploitation, lots of Tarantino, hints of Fraction, etc.). Hey: borrowing works well when it works well. Oh, but when it doesn’t… #2 lost me from the get-go–especially as I was taken immediately to a low budget modern-day exploitation flick that I caught one night on one of the Showtime or HBO channels: Raze, starring Tarantino darling Zoë Bell. Coincidence?

Raze (2013)

I’ll try this one and see where it takes me.

Lazarus #15 (Image) I&N Demand Our #2 book of 2014! It’s what we’ve been waiting for for like, well, forever: Forever in a Trial by Combat against another Lazarus!

All-New Captain America #4 (Marvel): I know, I know. But it hasn’t been terrible. And this time out, Remender’s dusting off the Armadillo! Gotta wonder, though, what effect Secret Wars is going to have on this little experiment–and if it’s worth following a dead title shelf-sitting.

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #9 (Marvel): I love what Kaare Andrews is doing with Danny Rand. In fact, Iron Fist was my #16 book of 2014–and my third-favorite superhero monthly after Silver Surfer and Moon Knight. High praise, indeed!

Magneto #15 (Marvel): Bunn’s done a nice job of telling stories from issue to issue. He’s delivered some nice twists along the way, too. #14 ended with Magneto’s giving himself up to S.H.I.E.L.D. Wonder what his endgame is…

Moon Knight #12 (Marvel) I&N Demand Our #8 book of 2014! #11 ended on a bit of a down note–you know, with Marc Spector falling out of a flying detention facility and all. (Wood and Smallwood must’ve watched–and liked–Stallone’s waterlogged–yet undeniably watchable–prison break bingo, Escape Plan, as they delivered quite an homage with Spector in Stallone’s role and Khonshu in Schwarzenegger’s.) Not looking forward to saying goodbye to Wood and Smallwood, but I am looking forward to seeing how they end their arc–and how they leave things for Cullen Bunn and Ron Ackins. Maybe they’ll reach back to Bullet to the Head. Or Avenging Angelo…

Uncanny X-Men #31 (Marvel): Bendis is on his way out. That promises some real havoc in the X-Universe. No, really–look:

Uncanny X-Men #31

Burning Fields #2 (BOOM!): Kinda like a cross between The Killing and Homeland. Not a bad thing.

Cap Stone #3 (Titan): Some real high points: the conversation between Charlie and her mom; the wild shifts in Sharp’s artwork. Some low points, too: the conversation between Charlie and her mom; the wild shifts in Sharp’s artwork. I loved #1. #2, however, exposed a serious flaw: inconsistency. Still intriguing enough, though.

Mono #3 (Titan): Another book from Liam Sharp that took a step back after a very promising premier. What spoiled the sophomore offering: the conversation–coincidence?–between Heinrich and Isabella, which acts as a dragline on the storyline. Also seems waaaaaay too serious for a book about an ape-man secret agent and assassin for the Queen, doesn’t it? It’s so goddamned dour! I do like the layered approach that Sharp’s taking to create the Mono myth, however.

The Valiant #3 (Valiant) I&N Demand I liked #1 enough–but I absolutely loved #2! I was particularly struck by the artistic collaboration between Lemire and Kindt on the storybook section. Sure, many of the notes that are struck remind of Lemire’s run on Animal Man; but what the hell–they work well here, so all the better!

The Valiant #3

The Twilight Zone #12 (Dynamite) I&N Demand Our #10 book of 2014! This issue ends an extremely powerful arc and Straczynski and Vilanova’s superior run. So sad to see this go. Hmm. Maybe–just maybe–I could travel back in time and kill another series–Dream Police, for instance–in its place…

Here’s a little secret: we, the mighty gate-keepers here at I&N, don’t always agree on who makes the cut on our monthly purview of comics excellence. But, through a complex process of behind-the-scenes negotiation, diplomacy, arm-twisting and, if need be, feats of manliness, we have always been able to whittle down the monthly title wave to our hallowed Top 5. That is, until now. And so, recklessly abandoning all sense of tradition and decorum, we present for the first time: our Top 6 Books of the Month.

#5 (tie). Mind MGMT #23 (Dark Horse): Matt Kindt–winner of the 2014 Innie for Best Artist–delivers a real punch to the gut with this well composed hit-single issue, which sees the Dusty-deadicated side notes harmonizing heroically with the cacophony of the nihilistic narrative–with the darkness Dusty so deeply despised and hoped to one day change with his music. With the in memoriam to Dusty as the lead vocal of the book, Kindt further develops the memory motif by making the Eraser play “memory games” with an incredulous Meru, using blacked out panels to indicate the missing moments; and by putting petal to the metal in a series of flowering flashbacks featuring Bill and Meru that fan out to form a stunning centerpiece for this death-marred installment and ultimately fall from the stem, foreshadowing poor Bill’s demise and Meru’s heartbreak. In the end, Kindt cleverly ties the margin matter to the story proper by having Meru’s falling tears look just like the music rising from the headphones that are taken from Dusty’s dead body. That alone would’ve been enough to tattoo this issue on our Top 5! But as a final note–or a last grain of hourglass sand–Kindt calls upon the aforementioned memory motif one last time and offers up an intimate Mad Magazine fold-in that’ll rattle around in your skull well after reading. (SC)

Mind MGMT #23

#5 (tie). The Massive #24 (Dark Horse): As Brian Wood’s near-future socioeconomic/environmental dystopia comes to a head, the enigmatic Mary stands revealed as the lynchpin. Some kind of goddess-figure, Mary’s been witness to centuries of manmade degradation of every kind: against nature, against each other, against our own history (part of the brilliance of Wood’s argument is that, throughout the series, he’s presented these as one and the same). Well now she sits in judgement, speaking in biblical terms that portend even greater disaster (or, perhaps, wrath). Even more damning, she stares out directly at the reader as she does so (indelibly rendered, as is the entire arc, by Danijel Zezelj and Jordie Bellaire). If this seems a bit heavy-handed, this particular sequence, all of two pages, stands in stark relief to twenty-three previous issues of breathtaking, world-spanning incident remarkable for the sheer depth of knowledge displayed, as well as their understated, plot-driven delivery. It also thrusts us headlong into the mysteries to be revealed in the final arc, and adds one more: could Mary have played a role in The Crash, the event that laid the world low to begin with? And, having found mankind wanting, is the worst yet to come? (DM)

The Massive #24

#4. The Last Broadcast #2 (Archaia): Great magicians never reveal their secrets; and those secrets, for the compulsively curious, inevitably become the seeds of great mysteries. Writer André Sirangelo and artist Gabriel Iumazark plant plenty of seductive seeds here in the second installment of The Last Broadcast, which puts our main man Ivan–himself a magician–on a crooked path of discovery. His frantic search for his pal Dmitri is an off-kilter crusade–one amplified by Iumazark’s irregular panel pattern that keeps us likewise off balance as we move from page to page–that finds him courting odd characters, including an enigmatic bookshop owner and an eye-biting barfly who pleasingly smack of Polanski stock, and that leads him to a couple of urban explorers–the Backbone of the story–who themselves are missing a mate. (I, too, am compulsively curious, and I wonder: Could Dmitri and Damon be one in the same?) Making the story–and the story to come–even more exciting is the prospect of a very-much-alive Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s having a hand in scripting the outcome. Believe your eyes, folks: this magic–The Last Broadcast–is for real. (SC)

The Last Broadcast #2

#3. Ordinary #2 (Titan): A determined father intrepidly braves a gauntlet of nefarious characters and death-defying situations with only one thought on his mind: to find his son! This may sound like the latest Liam Neeson revenge flick, until you realize that a) the determined father is Michael, a balding, bespectacled schlub with a dead-end job; b) the nefarious characters are everyone else on the planet, who have suddenly and inexplicably been granted ridiculous super powers; and c) the death-defying situations include show-stopping Broadway musical numbers (especially frightening that). Rob Williams and D’Israeli serve up thrill-ride absurdity that at once takes the gas out of the sort of adolescent power fantasies that so many comics fans (many of whom bear more than a passing resemblance to Michael) still faithfully devour, while also slyly celebrating them. After all, if the biggest loser in the world can overcome odds like this, there’s hope for everyone. (DM)

Ordinary #2

#2. Archer & Armstrong #21 (Valiant): Our fascination with celebrities in many ways defines us as a culture. Funny enough, our fascination with dead celebrities even more so. Fred Van Lente knows that, and he’s clearly having a blast bringing back some long–and some freshly–dead famous folks for his satirical tour de farce “American Wasteland.” Artist Pere Pérez brings the late lot to life around Archer and Armstrong, kicking off a game of “How many dead celebs can you name?”; and it’s a game where we’re all winners for playing along. I was slayed by the inclusion of Jeff Hanneman and then was all “Already?” upon seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman. The next three page turns may very well be as unforgettable as the featured figures themselves: first, it’s a father and child reunion as Bruce and Brandon Lee attack our heroes in a sole-touching moment! (Do they win? Of course they Jeet Kune Don’t–thanks to Archer’s, umm, stun ram.) And, after meeting a distraught Jackie Kennedy, who isn’t long for even this world (I was like, “No he di’int!”), A & A come across more Oswalds than you can shake a Zapruder film at! Throw in some East and West disorderly action with phat boys Biggie and Tupac, and you’ve got yourself a book where a clever contrivance becomes more the thing than the story itself–well, initially, anyway. Because after the excitement of recognition and the well-earned laughter fall to necessary contemplation, there’s Van Lente himself laughing, “Gotcha.” (SC)

Archer & Armstrong #21

#1. Silver Surfer #3 (Marvel): There was a recent internet controversy which involved, among other things, the notion that certain aspects of super heroes were just too “goofy” and needed to be jettisoned in order for today’s audiences to take the characters seriously. The thinking behind this seems to be that the colorful, larger-than-life paragons of heroism that have populated comics since their inception need to be brought back down to earth, their vibrancy toned down to reflect our own muddled reality. One could make the case that this view, in its cynicism, utterly misses the point of what super heroes are supposed to be. But why do that when you could just read Silver Surfer by Dan Slott and Michael and Laura Allred instead? It makes the case better than any argument ever could.

The current issue is particularly apt, as it deals with a cosmic struggle not so much of good versus evil, but of reality versus possibility. In it, a double-talking alien named the Incredulous Zed seeks to strike down an entity known as the Never Queen to ensure that the future will only ever have one possible outcome. Standing against him are the Silver Surfer and his new partner Dawn Greenwood, an especially winning creation, who runs a nice bed-and-breakfast in Anchor Bay, Mass. Slott’s wild, expansive approach to story is matched by Allred’s art, which, as always, is teeming with fantastic weirdness. There are monkey toys and stolen hearts. Space freaks and childhood memories. True love and The Three Stooges. And in Slott’s and Allred’s vision these live comfortably side-by-side. They suggest, in the sheer vitality of their storytelling, that one need not discard absurdity in the pursuit of profundity. Rather, whatever it is that is profound in these types of stories, whatever is truly wonderful, is inextricably tied to the fact that they’re so damn much FUN. (DM)

Silver Surfer #3

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Trees #2 (Image) – It has been a storytelling trope the last twenty years or so to juggle multiple, seemingly disparate narratives within an overall framework, and then slowly draw the separate strands together so that they all collide by the end, revealing a larger picture. It is perhaps perfectly legitimate in today’s hyper-connected world to seek meaning in the seemingly infinite byways that cyberspace allows, especially as it has simultaneously caused the world to get ever smaller. This narrative approach, depending on how it’s handled, can be insightful and profound or obtuse and annoying (Terence Malick’s The Tree of Life [no relation] for example, falls into either one or the other categories depending on your point of view). But it works best when the individual stories are compelling (as in say, Pulp Fiction). Unfortunately Trees manages to be both obtuse and uninteresting. Warren Ellis’ story, involving a bunch of giant alien trees that suddenly appear on earth (nicely rendered by Jason Howard), apparently indifferent to human activity, unwittingly provides an apt metaphor for the experience of reading it. When the various narratives are as soporific as those presented, one can’t blame the title characters for ignoring them. The back inside cover, presumably reinforcing the trees ambivalence, ends the issue with the sentence “It doesn’t care.

The Massive #25 (Dark Horse): Since February, The Massive has been an I&N monthly Top 5 Book. That’s a record five months in a row! On the strength of that, I think it’s safe to say that Brian Wood’s book is headed for the Top Ten of 2014. For the most part, “Sahara” delivered its powerful feminist message in the understated manner–Women! Water! Life!–we’ve come to expect from Wood. (If I’m being fair, Part Three felt a bit preachy at times, but not to the detriment of the issue or of the arc.) The final arc–with its promise of Massive answers–begins here.

Veil #4 (Dark Horse): Has been somewhat disappointing–the last issue, in particular. I’m not caring too much about the femme ratale. There’s something all too familiar about her. Fejzula’s art’s been good, though. I’m riding it out because it’s a fiver.

East of West #14 (Image): Has been North of Excellent. Hickman and Dragotta certainly took their time building a big world–which is Hickman’s bag, ain’t it?; oh, but they’ve been hitting big–no, really big notes of late. (#12, in particular, was ridiculously good.) A dark robot horse for my personal pick for the Top Ten of 2014.

Fatale #24 (Image): Lots of love for the poetic penultimate issue. I thought it was spectacular, really–visually (different for Phillips on Fatale that’s for sure) and in terms of revelations. Brubaker went Big Bang, man. As I’m remembering, I’m still kinda affected by the whole thing with Josephine’s son. Creepy as hell, but, in the end, necessary, no? Speaking of the end: this is the femme finale–and I have no doubt: “It’s going to hurt.” Yeah, it’s going to be tough to say goodbye to one of our favorite books.

Fatale #24

Low #1 (Image): I couldn’t be any lower on a creator than I am on Remender. Why would I do this to myself??

Outcast #2 (Image): “Demons are the new zombies,” eh? The first issue was a decent set up. It’s no Thomas Alsop, that’s for sure; but I’ll give it a few, you know, to see where it goes. (If you’re not reading Thomas Alsop from BOOM! yet, get on that. You won’t be disappointed.)

Hawkeye #19 (Marvel): Listen up! Apparently, it’s taken Aja a long time to master the art of sign language for this issue. That’s right: try to remember–or I’ll remind: Clint’s gone deaf. So…

Hawkeye #19

Uncanny X-Men #24 (Marvel): I missed the last issue. As a result, I have no idea what secrets Xavier’s will revealed. Now that’s a sin!

Another big week of big books, highlighted by four titles from our Top Ten of 2013 (Wild Blue Yonder, Saga, Zero, and Archer & Armstrong) and an Archie two-fer!

Batman and Robin #33 (DC): Robin Rises: Omega #1–a nonsensical, never-ending fight scene–was a huge disappointment. You know what? I’m going to pretend it never happened. Will be tough, though: I’m not too excited about the inevitable change of scenery; Lord Darkseid knows I’ve never been a fan of Apokolips.

Dead Boy Detectives #7 (DC/Vertigo): DBD has been very good–especially the previous Through the Looking Glass-inspired two-parter. New story starts here.

Superman #33 (DC): Re: #32: The new Men of Today: Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr. have started their reign well with Men of Tomorrow. Liked how the former twisted Supes’ origin and came up with the well-named Ulysses. The latter proved that his style suits Superman just fine.

Wonder Woman #33 (DC): Azzarello and Chiang are on their way out. It’s been a helluva run–and gods know I will loyally follow them to the finish line.

Wonder Woman #33

Wild Blue Yonder #5 (IDW): Prepare to be jealous: I’ve already read it. Liked it a lot. (Shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: we’ve celebrated this series from the guys at Noble Transmission since take off.) It lives up to the standard set by issues before: it’s summer-blockbuster big with some massive art moments from Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel. (Nobody does double-page spreads like these guys.) I particularly like how in a relativist sense the Judge is pretty much a good guy, as he is trying to do right by his people. Just so happens other folks–those who call The Dawn home–would have to suffer in order for his people to survive. If I’m finding myself rooting for the Judge, it’s because Mike Raicht is selling him well–kind of like how Patricia Highsmith convinces you root for the immoral Thomas Ripley; that’s high praise, indeed! Also sold well is the big “final” moment, which is drawn out just long enough to sell one character’s sacrifice and another’s loss. Can’t wait to see how everything plays out. If you can’t wait to find out more about this issue, check out Derek’s review here.

Wild Blue Yonder #5

Saga #21 (Image): This arc hasn’t really lived up to the Saga standard. That being said, it’s still better than most. #20 ended on a robot strong note–even if it were a bit too robotic, too thick with politic.

Trees #3 (Image): Hasn’t grown on me. In fact, Derek and I agree: there’s been too much junk in the trunk; and, as a result, Trees #2 is our Biggest Dis(appointment) of June. May have to chop this one down. Might have trouble seeing the forest for the cover, though.

Tress #3

Velvet #6 (Image): New arc time. The first one rubbed me the right way. Something very modest about it.

Zero #9 (Image): The series started with so much promise. That promise, however, has been broken. Into pieces. Tiny, tiny pieces. We denounced #8 as our Biggest Dis(appointment) of May. It’ll take an act of God or my typical lack of willpower to get this one into my bag,

Supreme: Blue Rose #1 (Image): Ellis is lighting it up on Moon Knight yet is growing Trees at an pine’s pace. Wonder what we’ll get here.

Supreme: Blue Rose #1

Daredevil #6 (Marvel): #5 offered up my favorite line of the year: “Kudos to cancer.” Man, I laughed; and then I was like “Ugh”; and then I laughed some more. It’s quite clear: Mark ain’t afraid to Waid into some daring dialogue–especially if it’s meant to develop Matt further as the very best of friends and as the perfect Daredevil.

Afterlife With Archie #6 (Archie): Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla’s first arc was as close to perfect as can be. Expectations are very high for the next.

Archer & Armstrong #22 (Valiant): “American Wasteland” has been a blast! Re: #21: I mean, ho-Lee crap: Fred Van Lente is fearless–he’s the Lone Funman! It was so much fun, in fact, that we’ll be celebrating it as one of our Top 5 Books of June. You know, when we get around to it.

Archer & Armstrong #22

Life With Archie #37 (Archie): Honesty: #36 was my first issue of LWA. (I know I’m not alone in that one.) It won’t be my last. It was really, really good. Love the choices Paul Kupperberg–who wrote one of my far- from-Archie faves: Vigilante–made while walking his way through Archie’s life. Just took one issue to make me care a whole lot about the aftermath.

The Midas Flesh #8 (BOOM!): Mercifully comes the end. After a strong #2, the series quickly went south and has unfortunately stayed that course–not plot-wise, per se; it’s been an execution issue, including too much in the way of leaden redundancies. Maybe–just maybe–the end’ll be the true North we’ve been searching for.

Ordinary #3 (Titan): Mercilessly comes to an end. An end? Already? Noooooooooooooooo! Damn, man, the first two issues have been so very good. We celebrated #1 as one of our Top 5 Books of May, and #2 will be recognized as one of our Top Books of June, you know, eventually. Have every expectation that this’ll be just as good–if not better! A strong finale will bump Rob Williams from a laudable Must Try to a rare Must Buy.

Ordinary #3

The Twilight Zone #7 (Dynamite): This second arc hasn’t been as nearly as compelling as the first. That being said, #6 was definitely a step up from #5. I’ll probably ride this one out, return to my home dimension and leave the key to imagination under the mat for the next guy.

Paige’s Pick of the Week

Popeye #24 (IDW): Big Sister’s still working on her pile from last week, so Baby Sister gets her second book in three weeks–of life! I’ve keyed in on Popeye for her because she looks like the spinach-chompin’ sailor man when she eats. And the cover’s an appropriate hoot, too, ’cause toot toot, my baby girl is goshdarn gassy!

Here they are! The kickoff to the 2014 comic awards season! We proudly present the WINNERS of the 75 Annual Innie Awards! Dark Horse had a big year, represented in no fewer than four out of the five categories. Matt Kindt also cleaned up, winning twice (Best Ongoing & Best Artist). Congratulations to all the winners! See you in 2015!

Oh, crow! That most foul-tasting, um, fowl. ‘Twas only a month ago I was bemoaning the continuing prevalence of superhero books on ye olde comics stand. And yet here we are, scarcely four weeks later, and no less than three such titles are being featured our hallowed list (and two taking the top slots no less!) In my defense, I did say that in the right hands, gold could still be wrought from the well-worn cape and tights set. The creators below have managed just that. To wit:

#5. Quantum and Woody #10 (Valiant): Look! Up in the intro! It’s a word! It’s a phrase! It’s Super Segue! You bet it is! And, so, well, this might hurt a bit: Speaking of wit: Quantum and Woody–a super duper hero book if there ever was one–has been full of it from the get-goat. Here, though, the comic runneth over–and spiritedly so! The Abbott and Costello of comedic crime fighting–straight man Quantum and wise-cracking Woody, respectively–find themselves in deep voodoo as Woody seemingly switches sides instead of simply splitting them, leaving Quantum in quite the buggy bind. As the story takes shape, Woody’s questionable character is analyzed expertly by the heroes behind the heroes: creators James Asmus and Kano deliver a gay romp of painfully obvious punchlines and playful layouts–one that reaches around to the past for some insight into Woody’s relationship with the larcenous Jacklean; one that sees the images and words coming together to bust guts and gutters. (Love, love, love how Woody–in a memorable meta moment–pushes aside the bars of his four-panel prison.) Toss in a roundly panned appearance by the Swedish Chef and a surprising dash of sympathy for Woody, and we can’t help but confess: Quantum and Woody ain’t no joke; it’s a top book–as this super issue so heroically insists. (SC)

Quantum and Woody #10

#4. Mind MGMT #22 (Dark Horse): After its ignominious appearance as The Biggest Dis(appointment) of last month’s list, Matt Kindt’s surreal spy masterpiece returns to rarefied form. As the plot explores the backstory of a splinter group within the overall worldwide conspiracy, the issue actually reveals itself to be a piece of art about art; the meticulous planning that goes into its creation, the frustration of failure, and its subtle, pervasive, and often unintentional influence. Kindt’s distinctly postmodern approach then, acts simultaneously as an apt metaphor for the book’s very existence, as well as catnip for art nerds (like me). The front-and-back matter that bookend the tale both take place in art museums, Marcel Duchamp is casually referenced, as is a supposed sequel to Double Indemnity (which had me immediately conducting Google searches to see if there actually was such a thing. I found nothing.) And talk about surreal – Kindt’s Magritte-inspired painting – whimsical, beautiful and oh-so-clever – is, as far as I’m concerned, already the cover of the year. (DM)

Mind MGMT #22

#3. The Massive #23 (Dark Horse): Brian Wood’s stripped down plot befits his story of survival at its most primal: at the end of the world a convoy of life-sustaining water crosses the unforgiving desert. The precious cargo, beset by thieves on all sides, is guarded by a small cadre of women led by the mysterious Mary, revealed at last to be akin to a goddess. The simplicity of the plot (matched by the bold, near woodcut-like art of Danijel Zezelj with colors by the peerless Jordie Bellaire) also belies the rich complexity of Wood’s themes: environmental degradation, the consequences of dwindling natural resources, geopolitical power and gender politics; and finally, and perhaps surprisingly, the remarkable resiliency of life in the face of devastation. (DM)

The Massive #23

#2. Ordinary #1 (Titan): But enough of this hoity-toity art stuff! Postmodernism? Gender politics? We’re here to talk superheroes! Capes! Muscles! Lasers shooting out of things! The stuff of every boy’s fantasy! And in Ordinary, by Rob Wiiliams and D’Israeli, everyone gets to be one. Everyone, that is, except Michael. A middle-aged schlemiel, eking out a pathetic living, Michael seemingly exists only to be life’s punching bag. When a mysterious event grants superpowers to everyone on the planet, Michael is inexplicably left out. Hilarity arises as Michael suddenly has to navigate the increasing insanity around him. And this book is funny folks. Talking bears, super-beggars and cabbie-gods, all are part of the surreal, new landscape (D’Israeli, working in an exuberant Neo-Pop Art style, absolutely goes to town). But there is also pathos, including an astonishing scene involving a lonely old lady. And Michael himself is basically a decent guy: when the world goes nuts, his first thought is his son’s safety (his second thought is to get a drink). And then there’s the satiric edge: by making Michael a balding, bespectacled schlub surrounded by fantastic superpowers, Williams and D’Israeli have created a wry stand-in for the sort of middle-aged man who reads this type of story to begin with (ahem). A sad sack protagonist, absurdist humor, underlying heart: this is the comic Woody Allen would write if he wrote superheroes. (DM)

Ordinary #1

#1. Dry Spell #1 (Action Lab): Ken Krekeler has made quite a statement with Dry Spell #1. Good thing, too, considering his choice to start his story with someone else’s. And that someone else just so happens to be comic book god Alan Moore, so, you know, no pressure, right? Wrong! Duh. Because the quotation Krekeler has chosen as his first issue’s first words aren’t merely an epigraph that simply sets a tone for the tale to come; they are the opening salvo of a layered conversation about what it means to be an artist–about that will-o-the-wisp known as inspiration and the war that rages between activity and passivity; and, as the conversation develops, about the nature of superheroes and the duality of man, which makes sense, you know, with the whole Watchman thing that comes along with Mr. Moore. Sure, Krekeler’s placed the burden on himself, but he’s clearly up to the challenge, just as, on page three, Apollo, the first hero to whom we’re introduced, is up to his: he’s seen carrying a passenger plane to safety–seen not just by us, but by the protagonist, Tom, as well. He’s a cubicle jockey, who is, as we later learn, more than just some guy with an empty job, an empty relationship, and an empty canvas that’s more like a mirror that mocks him by showing him what he’s become since leaving the a super-powered life behind: nothing. His secret uncovered by a clever co-worker–who just so happens to also be a former costumed figure–Tom eventually finds himself at a club among powered peers, who seem to have designs on his ability to design things. In a stunning psychedelic splash that stands as an exemplar of both Krekeler’s eye for color and his ear for poetry, a tripping Tom appears to fracture as two voices dance across the page: one his own, lucid voice and the other–neither still nor small–that leads him directly into temptation and into a sequence that delivers some serious tension, that is until Nightingale–a super-powered woman from the club with whom Tom has some history left a mystery–saves an unsuspecting woman from Tom and Tom from himself. But to what end? We’ll find out in a month’s time. The immediate end, however, is a compelling story captained by a sympathetic character and an inspired take on the superhero set that courageously–and believably–promises Moore. (SC)

Dry Spell #1

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Zero #8 (Image): Ales Kot’s Zero hit the scene late in 2013 and made quite the impression; in fact, it went from zero to eight–our #8 book of the year–after only four innovative issues, each a singular experience served up by an artiste du mois. Man, we were high on this book. Were. Now, we’re pretty darned low. As low as one can go, really. Four issues into 2014 and Zero has gone from eight back to zero, coincidentally on the weakness of #8, this month’s mock minimalist offering. See: to catch us up with Roman Zizek’s plan for Sara Cooke, Kot makes up for a rather remarkable dearth of dialogue and overall want for words by having artist Jorge Coelho pile on the panels–so many unnecessary, momentum murdering panels–and leave plenty unsaid, well, undrawn, giving us the responsibility of crawling through the gutters in order to bring some clarity to the narrative. Comprehension be damned! Yeah, what we’ve got here is not so much storytelling as it is story suggesting–often imploring that we suspend disbelief in order to overlook some absolutely absurd moments. My disbelief? Suspended from the gallows until dead, dead, dead–and buried along with my anticipation and any hopes that Kot will return to the form that forced us to take notice in the first place. In fact, I’ll let Zero’s final words be my final words on Zero, as well: “I am here to tell you that I quit.” (SC)

On paper–where else, really–this is easily the best week of books of the year. (Not hyperbolic.) Maybe ever. (Still not.)

We’re looking at three–count ’em: three–Top 5 books from last month. Seven titles that have been recognized as Top 5 books at some point. Three titles that earned Top Ten honors for 2013. Two 2014 Innie Award nominees for Best Ongoing Series, two for Best Writer, and three for Best Artist. (Totally not!)

Maybe I’ll buy this bunch and then call it quits–you know, quit comics on the highest of notes and start saving some money. (Duh.)

The Massive #24 (Dark Horse): The Massive is on quite a roll! It’s an epic of biblical proportions, and since February we’ve celebrated it religiously as a Top 5 book! Here’s why we loved #23.

Mind MGMT #23 (Dark Horse): Another book worth celebrating! Sure, it earned our Biggest Dis(appointment) of April; but Matt Kindt rebounded with a terrific #22, which, you guessed it, bounced back into our Top 5 for May.

Mind MGMT #23

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #3 (Dark Horse): Leia’s turn wasn’t as strong as Han’s, but who expected it to be? Han’s the man, and Kindt got Carraway-ed as he covered F. Scott Fitzgerald to tell his story. Leia’s chapter was a bit more La Femme Nikita. Next up: Chewbacca. I’m sure Kindt will put him in some sort of hairy position.

Superman #32 (DC): Could this be the Superman we’ve been waiting for? With heavies like Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr. on board, I’m thinking yes–hoping yes. I mean, come on: they’ve only got the weight of the DC Universe on their shoulders.

Outcast #1 (Image): An ironic title–only because it’ll probably be included in just about every buyer’s bag. Wondering: will we the buyers be buying this because we’re zombies–keyed on Kirkman and slaves to shiny number ones?

Saga #20 (Image): #19 didn’t excite in the way we’ve come to expect from Saga. Taint a big deal. Or should that be: A big taint deal. Or: A big deal taint. Ah, it’s one of those. Previews’ preview promises: “Something terrible happens.” Not to the taint, I hope.

Stray Bullets: Killers #4 (Image): #1 set the world on notice: David Lapham and his Bullets are back! Since, his bullets have strayed a bit, reminding me why I loved #1 so much. I’d love to love this one:

Stray Bullets: Killers #4

Trees #2 (Image): Warren Ellis is growing something with Trees. I want to be there when it blooms–whatever the hell it is.

The Midas Flesh #7 (BOOM!): The series started off with such promise, didn’t it. Ryan North seemed to lose his way with the ethical dilemmas at the heart of the book. The narrative ground to a near halt with redundant, drawn out dialogue that read less like gold and more like lead.

Ordinary #2 (Titan): Wouldn’t you know: Ordinary #1 proved to be extraordinary–and earned a spot in our Top 5 for May. Hoping with all my heart that #2 doesn’t choke on the promise that Rob Williams made with his initial offering. If you enjoyed Montynero’s Death Sentence, also from Titan, you’ll definitely dig this.

Ordinary #2

Rachel Rising #26 (Abstract Studio): Terry Moore cast a spell on us last year–one that influenced us to include his American horror story in our Top Ten of 2013. Since then, however, the spell has worn off, specifically after the last two issues, which have been, well, not good.